Hayden Donnell

Senior writer

Hayden Donnell is a senior writer for The Spinoff. He previously worked at RNZ, TVNZ and the New Zealand Herald, alongside other media companies that have since closed down or been renamed. His primary passions are local politics and the Big Fresh animatronic fruit and veggies.

New Zealand, a nation ruled by business cases. (Image: Tina Tiller)

New Zealand is being held hostage by the business case industrial complex

The Waitematā crossing is one of a long list of projects to get locked up in a prison of infinite planning.

By Hayden Donnell | 24th August, 2026

Paul Goldsmith wearing his 11 ministerial hats. (Image: Tina Tiller)

How Paul Goldsmith can fit 11 ministerial roles into his schedule

10am: Rewatch the video of Judith Collins saying ‘my husband is Samoan, so talofa’. Minister for Pacific peoples job status: Complete.

By Hayden Donnell | 19th August, 2026

(From left) John Key, Simon Bridges, Len Brown, James Bews-Hair and Penny Hulse might not be cutting the ribbon, but they deserve the credit. (Image: Tina Tiller)

The real heroes of the City Rail Link

Plenty of politicians will line up to cut a ribbon and take credit. Here’s who really deserves the plaudits.

By Hayden Donnell | 18th August, 2026

The contenders. (Image: Tina Tiller)

The smooth peanut butters of New Zealand, ranked from worst to best

A shock fall for a much-heralded household favourite. A stunning rise for a budget brand.

By Hayden Donnell | 14th August, 2026

It’s all good! (Photo: Getty Images. Design: The Spinoff)

Nothing to see here: Christopher Luxon has the full support of his caucus

There’s no reason to doubt the prime minister’s claim that his caucus is united. Provided you ignore all the reasons to doubt his claim that his caucus is united.

By Hayden Donnell | 13th August, 2026

Christopher Luxon would like you to know that National wants to fix the basics and build the future.

All the times Christopher Luxon said ‘fix the basics and build the future’ in one 76-second press conference, ranked

The phrase made up nearly 10% of all the words spoken.

By Hayden Donnell | 12th August, 2026

The politicians witnessed by The Spinoff this week. (Photos: Getty, The Spinoff, supplied. Design: Tina Tiller)

A not-so-wet but still quite whiny week on the campaign trail

Christopher Luxon wrestles with a soundsystem, Qiulae Wong and Helen White fight for Mt Albert and it’s hard to hold onto hope at a Chlöe Swarbrick meeting.

By Hayden Donnell | 7th August, 2026

Our classrooms aren’t the only places being disrupted by bad behaviour. (Image: Tina Tiller/The Spinoff)

The little shits are coming from inside the House

Act wants to deal with the little shits in the classroom. Perhaps they should clean up the ones on their own turf first.

By Hayden Donnell | 5th August, 2026

Wayne Brown will now have one of the youngest and most diverse leadership teams in supercity history. (Compilation design Tina Tiller)

Wayne Brown digs out the last of the CAVEs

The mayor is promoting collaborators and demoting those who have built a career saying no.

By Hayden Donnell | 3rd August, 2026

Some things are just intolerable. Some aren’t. (Image: Tina Tiller)

The things that are and aren’t compatible with National’s values

Wanting to tax land: absolutely not. Xenophobia? That we can work with.

By Hayden Donnell | 31st July, 2026